Switching mechanism



Aug. 31, 1937. A, DOUGLAS 2,091,471

SWITCHING MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6' Z 5 H6: 9 1

//VV/V 70ft HARRY A 00062 145' BV/( aa m M Au 31, 1937. H A GLAS 2,091,471

SWITCHING MEGHANI SM Original Filed Nov. 2, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TAIL I //Vl/N r0 m HARRY/4. DOUGLAS Patented Aug 31, 1937 PATENT OFFICE SWITCHING MECHANISM Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich., assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana Application November 2, 1933, Serial No. 696,445 Renewed April 1, 1936 27 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in switching mechanism or the like for electric circuit continuing devices and the invention is adapted more particularly for automotive vehicle equipment.

Among other objects, the invention aims to provide mechanism, together with parts therefor, which may be readily assembled, which is simple in construction and operation and which, at the same time, is positive in operation and durable in performance.

It has been customary in switching mechanism of this character to arrange the terminal croontact connected to the source of electricity axially of the mechanism with a circuit continuing member or bridge adapted to continue the circuit from this central contact to one or more of a series of contacts disposed thereabout and arranged in a circle concentric therewith.

It is a further object of this invention to arrange the terminal or contact connected to the source of electricity at one side of the axis of the switching mechanism, whereby additional circuits may be controlled by arranging one or more contacts or terminals in a similar off-center position.

With these and other objects in view reference is made to. the accompanying drawings which 11- lustrate a preferred form of this invention, with the understanding that minor detail changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in vertical transverse section illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention, with parts shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows with parts shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view in rear elevation, on a reduced scale.

Figure 5 is a view in section taken on the line 45 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary detail view in section 50 taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in section taken on the line Hllll of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an automotive vehicle lighting system in which this invention may be advantageously employed.

In the embodiment of this invention as illustrated, the switching mechanism is contained within a metallic cylindrical cup-shaped casing I having a central opening 2 in its closure 3 for receiving a shouldered exteriorly threaded sleeve 4 which may be secured thereto with the shoulder against the exterior of the casing as by spinning the metal of the end of the sleeve about the interior of the casing. In this embodiment, the casing is mounted on the rear of the panel 5 of the instrument board of an automotive vehicle by passing the sleeve 4 through an opening provided therefor in said panel and threading a nut 5 upon the exterior of the sleeve to draw and hold the closure 3 of the case against the rear side of said panel.

The switching mechanism includes a contact carrier, in the form of a disc I of insulation material, preferably bakelite or phenolic condensate held in fixed relation to the open end of the casing I and forming a closure therefor, a

disc 8 concentric therewith, preferably of bakelite, mounted for rotation within the casing I between the contact carrier 1 and end closure 3 cf the casing, and an actuator in the form of a metallic disc 8 mounted between the casing closure 3 and the disc 8 in operative engagement with said disc and adapted to be operated by a handle H) on the exterior of the instrument board 5 by means of a shaft ll concentric with the actuator and rotatably carried within the sleeve 4 and keyed at one end to the actuator and secured at the other end to the handle Ill.

The contact carrying disc 1 is of a diameter to be snugly received within the cylindrical wall of the open end of the casing l and its exterior surface is continued in a circumferential flange extending slightly therebeyond. The wall of the casing is extended to form three spaced apart fingers l2 and the circumferential flange of the carrier disc is correspondingly cut away to allow said fingers to pass therethrough, so that their extremities may be clamped against the exterior of the contact carrier to secure the same against rotation with its flange in engagement with the casing l, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. As best shown in Figure 4, the fingers l2 are, in this instance, unequally spaced apart, so that the casing trio with said disc and shaft l and the carrier disc 7 can be assembled in only one relation.

In the embodiment illustrated, the contact carrier 1 carries seven contacts, two arranged on opposite sides of the center of thecarrier' disc and equidistant therefrom with the five arranged on the arc of a concentric circle of greater radius. While these contacts answer the special purpose for which this switching mechanism is employed in the illustrative diagram of Figure 11, it is to be understood contacts may be added or subtracted, as the case may be, to adapt its use to other purposes. Each contact includes a rectangular metallic contact head l3 preferably formed integral with an elongated rectangular shank it of thesame dimensions, but having its fourcorners chamfered, as shown in Figure 8. The shanks l4 are reciprocably mounted in similarly shaped apertures l5 provided in the carrier disc 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 10. The shanks l4 are extended beyond the exterior of the carrier disc and each provided with an electrical conductor connector l6, preferably of the type described in this applicants copending application, Serial No. 565,127, filed September 25, 1931. -The contact heads l3 are each provided with a fiat circular end surface I! at right angles to its axis and concentric therewith with the remainder of the end surface receding therefrom on longitudinal and transverse arcs to each corner, as shown in Figure 8, forming a flat ended conical surface.

The contacts are maintained in resilient engagement with the disc 8 by providing a circular depression I8 upon the inner surface of the carrier 1 about each shank opening l5 and forming a similar boss l9 thereabout integral with and extending beyond the carrier disc, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 6, placing a washer receivable within the boss l9 about the shank M in engagement with the corners of the contact heads l3 extending beyond the chamfered edges and interposing a coil spring 2| about the shank l4 between the bottom of the depression l8 and the washer 20.

The surface of the disc 8 adjacent the contact carrier 1 is recessed to receive a metallic circuit continuing member or bridge flush with the face of said disc 8. The circuit continuing member is provided with a central circular portion 22 concentric with the disc 8 and of sufficient surface to be engaged by the contacts equidistant from the center of the contact carrier 1 arranged nearest the center and terminated short of engagement with the outer series of contacts. In the form illustrated, the circular portion 22 of the circuit continuing bridge is formed with similar oppositely disposed radial projections 23 extending to the periphery of the disc and adapted when properly positioned to be brought into engagement with the various contacts forming the outer series carried by the contact disc 1. The portions 23 are each continued to form fing'ers 24 and the circumference of the disc 8 contiguous therewith are recessed which recesses 25 are continued to enter the-opposite face so that the said fingers may-be received within the recessed portions of the circumference and be brought into clamping relation with the opposite side of the disc 8, as shown in Figure 7.

The side of the disc 8 adjacent the casing closure 3 is recessed to form a depression 26 for the reception of the metallic actuator disc 9 concen- H of the operating The body of the actuator disc is handle I 0.

struck up adjacent its periphery on the arc of a circle to form a continuous annular rib 21 adapted to bear upon the inner surface of the casing end closure 3 and maintain the body of the actu I spun over to engage the under side of the actuator. It is preferable to strike up the body of the actuator about the shaft aperture 38 so that the end of the shaft clears the bottom of the recess 26 in the. disc 8. Means to limit the rotation of the actuator 9 and position the circuit continuing disc 8 is provided by forming a radial extension 3l upon the disc 9 passing through a recess provided therefor through the surrounding body of the disc 8 and by slitting the side wall of the casing l and depressing the body thereof adjacent the end closure 3 to form stops 32 in the path of the extension 3|.

The particular adaptation of this switching mechanism, as illustrated in the diagram in Figure 11, includes an off and three other positions to control the parking lights and the bright and tilt filaments of the headlights with the tail light in circuit whenever the circuit is continued to parking or headlights. This control is accomplished by connecting the contact 33, one of the pairs shown nearer the axis of the contact carrier 1, by a conductor 34 to the grounded battery 35, and the other contact 36, of said pair, by a conductor 31 to the grounded filament of the tail-light. To provide means for discontinuing the circuit from the battery, a circular opening 38 of greater diameter than the contact head I3 is cut out of the portion 22 of the circuit continuing member arranged to register with the battery contact 33, when the actuator is in the off position. Of the five contacts arranged about the axis and adapted to be wiped over by the extensions 23 of the circuit continuing bridge, the contact 39, shown above and between contacts 33 and 36, Figure 11, is connected by conductor 40 and its panel 40a to the grounded filaments of the parking lights, diagrammatically indicated as being included in the headlights H; the contact 4|, to the right of contact 39, is connected by conductor 42 to the grounded bright filament of the left headlight H and the oppositely disposed contact 43 is connected by conductor 44 to the grounded bright filament of the right headlight; and the contact 45, below contact 4|, is connected by conductor 46 to the grounded "tilt" filament of the left headlight H with the oppositely disposed contact 41 connected by conductor 48 to the grounded tilt filament of the right headlight H.

The oppositely disposed extensions 23 from the circular portion 22 of the circuit continuing member or bridge are so arranged that, as shown in Figure 11, when the actuator 9 has been moved to the off position the opening 38 therein discontinues the circuit from thebattery to all of the lights; when the actuator is moved to the left, the circular body 22 continues the circuit from the battery contact 33 to the tail-light contact 36 and the extensions 23 on the upper side continues the circuit through contact 39 to the parking lights and in this position the actuator extension 3| is brought into engagement with one of the stops 32 on the wall of the casing I; when the actuator is moved from the off position to the right, the circular portion of the circuit continuing bridge continues .the circuit from the battery to the tail-light and the oppositely disposed extensions 23 continue the circuit through the oppositely disposed contacts 4| and 43 to the bright filaments of the headlight H; and upon further movement in the same direction said extensions 23 discontinue the circuit through contacts 4| and 43 and continue the circuit through contacts and 41 to the tilt filaments of the headlight and in this position the actuator engages the other stop 32.

The circular portion 22 with the oppositely disposed extensions 23 of the circuit continuing member .or bridge is received in the recessed surface of the bakelite circuit continuing disc 8, 'so that the exterior surface lies flush with the exterior surface of the disc, and the body of the disc is projected outward through the circular aperture 38 in the portions 22 of the bridge to' continue the exterior fiat surface; as shown in Figure 6. The flat circular ends I! of the heads l3 of the battery and tail-light connector contact terminals 33 and 36 always bear with equal pressure, exerted by the springs 2| of the contact carrier l, upon the circuit continuing disc 8 or the continuing bridge. Likewise, the heads I3 of the contacts of the outer circle carried by the contact carrier I bear with equal pressure upon the circuit continuing disc or extens on 23 of the bridge. It is preferable to provide the surface of the circuit continuing disc 8 and extensions 23 of the bridge with a plurality of circular depressions 49 adapted to receive the heads [3 of the contacts arranged in the outer circle when the various circuits are continued therethrough to not only assist in positioning the actuator in the completion of such circuits, but to impart a step-by-step movement as the actuator is rotated, the curved portions of the heads i3 riding in and out the depressions 49 with,

the flat surfaces l1 thereof being wiped over during the movement of the disc 8 from one depression 49 to the next.

' As shown, the contacts 4|, 43, 45, and 41 are arranged in pairs equidistant above and below the center line passing through contacts 33, 3B and center of disc 8 so that an equal pressure is transmitted to the annular rib 21 of the actuator 9 resulting in the exterior of the annular rib 21 making a'continuous tangential engagement with the inner surface of the casing closure 3 greatly reducing friction and providing an ease of movement of the actuator and circuit continuing disc when operated by the handle Hi.

What I claim is:

1. An electric switch including a cup-shaped casing, a contact carrying disc of insulating material closing the open end thereof, a disc of insulating material mounted for rotation between the casing closures, a plurality of electrical conductors passing through the contact disc at unequal distances from the center thereof each conductor terminating in a contact held in resilient engagement with the rotatable disc, a circuit continuing bridge mounted upon the face of the rotatable disc adjacent the contact disc provided with means for discontinuing the circuit in one position through the contact of one of the conductors nearer the center connected to the source of electricity and in other positions to bridge all of .the contacts nearest the center with means to selectively bridge the outer concircuit continuing disc.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the sur-' face of the rotatable disc is countersunk to receive the circuit continuing bridge with its outer surface flush with'theouter surface of the disc whereby the contacts bear equally throughout upon the said disc.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for discontinuing the circuit through the bridge from the conductor nearer the center includes cutting out the body of the bridge at that point.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the rotatable disc mounts the circuit continuing bridge flush with its surface with the body of the bridge cut out and the cut out portion filled flush with the material of the disc to discontinue the circuit through the said conductor nearer the center and cause all of the contacts to bear equally upon the said disc.

I 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein certain of the conductors are arranged upon a circle about the axis of the contact carrier and the remainder are arranged upon a concentric circle of greater diameter and the circuit continuing bridge includes a central circular body portion of greater diameter than the smaller concentric circle to-maintain continuous engagement upon rotation with all the conductors nearest the center when the conductor to the source is engaged.

6. An electric switch including a metallic cup- .shaped casing, a contact carrying disc closing the open end thereof, a disc of insulating material mounted for rotation between the casing closures, a plurality of electric contacts mounted on the contact carrier held in resilient engagement with the rotatable disc, a circuit continuing member mounted upon said rotatable disc adapted to bridge certain of said contacts selectively upon rotation of the disc, a metallic actuator including a disc carried on the opposite side of the rotatable disc in'fixed engagement therewith and having an annular rib in engagement w th the closure of the metallic casing, and means for rotating the actuator.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the actuator is in the form of a disc the body of which is received in a recess below the surface of the rotatable disc and is provided with an annular rib extending above said surface in engagement with the casing closure.

8. The structure of claim 6 wherein the actuator is in the form of a disc received within a recess in the surface of the rotatable disc and provided with a radial member extending through a recess provided therefore in the disc to hold the actuator against rotation independent of the disc.

9. The structure of claim 6 wherein the sides of the casing are struck in at two points to provide stops and wherein the actuator is in the form of a disc received within a recess in the surface of the rotatable disc and provided with a radial member extending through a recess provided therefore in the disc to hold the actuator against rotation independent of the disc with said member extending therebeyond to engage said stops to limit the rotation of said disc.

10. An electric switch including a contact carrying disc of insulating material, a plurality of rectangular metallic electrical conductors having longitudinal chamfered edges mounted to reciprocate in similarly formed apertures provided therefore in the contact carrier and terminating in rectangular contacts, a circuit continuing disc to bridge certain of thecontacts selectively upon rotation, and resilient means maintaining the contacts in engagement with the circuit continuing disc.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said resilient means includes a washer cut out to receive the chamfered body of the conductor and be engaged by the contact with a coil-spring about the conductor between the washer and contact carrying disc.

12. The structure of claim 10 wherein the circuit carrying 'disc is provided with a boss about each reciprocating conductor to guide the same.

13. The structure of claim 10 wherein said resilient means includes a washer cut out to receive the chamfered body of the conductor and be engaged by. the contact with a coil spring about the conductor between the washer and contact carrying disc and the body of the contact carrying disc raised in a boss about'each conductor recessed to receive the spring and washer and act as a guide for the washer.

14. An electric switch, comprising: a pair of spaced insulating members, the first of which is provided on its inner face with electrical contact means, and the second of which is provided with a polygonal aperture, and a well communicating with said aperture; and an elongated contact elementreciprocably carried by the second memthe reception of a conductor, and the remaining exterior portion of said element formed in a cylinder having an opening communicating with said aperture, a ball in said cylinder, and yieldable means in said cylinder urging said ball partially through said opening to provide clamping means for said conductorwhen disposed in said aperture.

15. An electric switch, comprising: a pair of spaced insulating members, the first of which is provided on its inner face with electrical contact means, and the second of which is provided with a polygonal aperture, and a well communicating with said aperture; and an elongated contact element reciprocably carried by the second member, said contact element having a portion thereof polygonal in cross-section taking through said aperture in said second member, said contactelement, inwardly of said second member, havingits corners chamferedto a pointadjacent-its inner end to form a head, and said head formed to provide a spherically rounded centrally flattened surface for engagement with the contact means of said first member; a guide member in said well bearing upon the head 'of said contact member; and yieldable means seated in said well and bearing against said guide member to normally urge the contact element to engaging position.

16. An electric switch, comprising: a pair of spacedfinsulating members, the first of which is provided on its inner face with electrical contact means, and the second of which is provided .with

a polygonal aperture; and an elongated contact element reciprocably carried by the second member, said contact element having a portion thereof polygonal in cross-section taking through said aperture in said second member, said contact element, inwardly of said second member, having itscorners chamfered to a point adjacent its inner end to form a head,and said head formed to provide a spherically rounded centrally flattened surface for engagement with the contact means of said first member; and yieldable means bearing against said head to normally urge the contact element to engaging position.

and toward and from saidbridge member, the

bodily movement of said contact means toward said bridge member being limited by abutment of said engagement portion with said bridge member; and resilient means constructed and arranged to urge said contact means toward said bridge member and ,to hold said engagement portion in abutment with said bridge member.

18. In combination-: electrical contact member having aportion of its length polygonal in cross-section, and having chamfered corners, the chamfered corners ter-v minating adjacent one end of said member to define a polygonal contact head for said contact member; and an insulating support, having an aperture polygonal in cross-section and adapted to receive the polygonal portion of said contact member.

19'. An' electric switch, comprising: relatively movable elements, one of said elements comprising a rotatably mounted operating member having means projecting radially therefrom; a contact carrying member provided with recess means. for receiving said radially projecting means, said radially projecting means and said recess means being constructed and arranged ,so that said operating member and said contact carrying member may be assembled in only one predetermined position.

20. -An electric switch, comprising: relatively movable elements, one of said elements comprising a rotatably mounted operating member having a radially projecting finger; and a contact carrying member having a peripheral shoulder forming a recessed portion for receiving said operating member, said shoulder being provided with a recess constructed and arranged so as to receive said radially projecting finger and put said operating member in driving relation with said contact carrying member.

21. An electric switch, comprising: relatively movable elements, one of said elements comprise ing a disc-shaped rotatably mounted operating member having a radially projecting finger; and a contact carrying member having a peripheral shoulder forming an annular recessed portion for snugly receiving said disc-shaped operating member, said shoulder being provided with a recess so constructed and arranged to receive said radially projecting finger and put said operating member in driving relation with said contact carryingmember.

22. An electric switchfcomprising: relatively movable elements, one of said elements comprising a rotatably mounted operating member having a radially projecting finger; a contact carrying member having a peripheral shoulder forming a recessed portion for-receiving said operat an elongated metallica recess so constructed and'arrangedto receive a portion of said radiailjygproiecting finger and put said operating memberfinydrivingl'relation, with said contact'carrying-rnemberfthelrmaining portion or said finger projectin away-mm:

said shoulder; and stopmeans, 'erigageablewitfi theremaining portion of said fl'nger,;constructed and arrangedrto limit .rotation'oisaid operating member.

, 23. An electrid switch,comprising} a casing; an operating member, movable relative to said casing, andhaving a bearing Surface constructed r and arranged to engage a wall of said casing; 5 insulation carried by said operating member;

' "contact means carried by said insulation; a base carried by saidj casing; contact means carried by said basepand. movable relative thereto in a direction toward or away from the contact means carried by saidoperating member; resilie'nt means, for urging the contact means -carr'ied by .said base against the, contact means carried byjsaidoperating-member; the thrust exerted bysaliiresilient means being taken up bythe bearing suriace 'forrnedon said operating 24 ;1A n];e1e nm "switch,,,including, a" metallic pup-shaped casing, a ,contact lcarrying disc clos- 1 if ing the openend thereof,' .a;disc ot insulating ma-' fgg terialmountedlm rotation between'the end of M the-casing and} said contact carrying disc, a"

; {plurality of electriccontactsimounted on the con- 'tactjcarrylng disc -and-held in resilient engagement with the rotatable disc, a circuit continugg-in'gmember mounted upon the rotatable disc and zfradapted to bridge certain of said contactsselec- I tivelyuponrotationot the rotatable disc, a me-.

' tail'io'actuator, including a fingered element, carried on the opposite side-of the rotatable dis'c 46 in fixed engagement therewith, {andhaving pro-.

P jectionmeans' adapted to-engage the end of the v I casing, and means for rotating the actuator.

'25.- An electric switch, including, a contact :-"1 .9,oo1,471f ing member, said shoulder; being ."provided with carrying disc of insulating material, va plurality of rectangular metallic electrical conductors each having longitudinally chamfered edges, each mounted to reciprocate in a similarly formed aperture provided therefor in the contact carrying disc, and each terminating in a tapered contact end, a circuit continuing disc adapted to bridge certain of the contacts selectively upon rotation, and resilient means maintaining the contact ends in engagement with the circuit continuing disc.

26. An electric switch, comprising: a pair of spaced insulating members, the first of which is provided on its inner face with electrical contact ,means, and the second of which is provided witha polygonal aperture and a well communieating with said aperture; and an elongated contact element reciprocably carried by the second member, said contact element having a portion thereof polygonal in cross-section taking through said aperture in said second member, said element, inwardly of said second member, having its' corners chamfered to apoint adjacent its inner end to form a head; a guide member arranged in said well and bearing upon the head of said element; and resilient means seated in said well and engaging said guide member, and operable to urge the contact element into engaging position. v

27 In combinationrcasing means including a tube connected to -a wall of said casing means and adapted to support said casing means; an operating member disposed within said casing means; a shaft extending through said tube and fixedly connected to said operating member; 

